The German women’s national basketball team advanced to the quarterfinals of the home World Cup in Berlin on Tuesday following a dominant 94–56 victory over Korea at the Arena am Berliner Ostbahnhof, according to match reports. Head coach Olaf Lange directed the squad through a convincing qualification win, setting up a knockout clash against reigning European champion Belgium.
Germany opened the contest with an early 5–0 run. While Korea repeatedly leveled the score during the opening minutes, the Asian side never managed to take the lead. The hosts pulled ahead 23–14 by the end of the first quarter, fueled by a nine-point burst from Frieda Bühner. By halftime, the lead swelled to 46–29 as the German side asserted control on both ends of the floor.
Among the 6,227 spectators inside the arena was NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki. According to on-site reports, the 48-year-old former Dallas Mavericks star watched the action from a private suite alongside DBB Vice President Mithat Demirel and data analyst Patrick Hosp. Sources noted that Nowitzki kept a low profile during the game due to travel fatigue from Dallas, though he is expected to move courtside for Thursday’s quarterfinal match.
Nowitzki’s low-key presence contrasted with fellow NBA champion Dennis Schröder. The Charlotte Hornets guard had taken in Monday’s victory against Mali from the front row alongside his family. Schröder reportedly delivered an encouraging speech to the players in the locker room following Tuesday’s win.
On the floor, Germany continued to pull away in the second half. Marie Gülich led the scoring effort with 19 points, pushing the advantage to 68–40 at the end of the third quarter. The final ten minutes served as a celebration for the home crowd as the team closed out the 38-point margin of victory.
Head coach Olaf Lange utilized a starting lineup featuring Emma Eichmeyer, Leonie Fiebich, Luisa Geiselsöder, Britta Daub, and Nyara Sabally. Sabally, a WNBA player for Toronto Tempo, played through ongoing recovery from a calf injury that required intensive pre-game treatment.
In another fixture earlier in the day, Hungary defeated Japan 84–63. That match was marred by a severe injury to Japan’s Saki Hayashi.
Germany now turns its focus to the quarterfinals on Thursday at 17:45 local time, where they will face European champion Belgium. The match will be broadcast live on ProSiebenMaxx and MagentaSport.
Related reading
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2026/09/08/image-fc2c0be9-9198-4c3e-b85d-75c4ba58a516-85-2560-1440.jpeg)